Principality of the Coin

The Principality of the Coin, also known as the Merchant Princes, is a tremendously wealthy nation in West Korinth. Prior to the Sicarus, it held colonies far away in Margon. Post-Sicarus, it still controls important trade routes to the Empire and beyond. Its population, mostly human with a large minority population of halflings, is historically in the range of 3 million. The country's natural resources and wealth, combined with its mercantile nature has led it to become one of the most important and influential trading centers throughout Korinth. The crowning jewel of this powerful state was the capital city of Coingate, founded in 100 BS or 0 ASin official documents.

History
One of Korinth's oldest nations but also one of its richest, has a brief but crowded history. By the time of the Vala Eruption, they had expanded further than any other power yet, reaching its influence to the shores of the fabled continent where Tanithians came from across the Trackless Sea. There, it remained a local power until, during the cataclysmic events of Sicarus and the knowledge of the fabled continent disappeared, along with all of its inhabitants. Even so, its status as a colonial power is hardly broken and in the absence of its old colonies, the ambitious rulers of the Merchant Princes instead opened up colonies in the more local arenas of Margon, and even talks of Beshkaba have been heard in the royal palaces.

Trade
Money flows in and out of them like no other country. It receives a lot of goods from Acryos and Myr to the west, on their way to the Heartlands in the north and east. It is rivals with the Vostarian Empire. While most often drawing merchants and businessmen, it also attracts adventurers from many lands, even from outside Korinth. Thanks to its vast wealth and the amount of import that is placed upon smooth and efficient trade, merchant companies, often run by wealthy families or "houses," hold a great deal of the power here, so much so that they can compete with more traditional political forces in the country.

In the past, stone was imported from Klungaraz for use in construction, having been transported which was an expensive process. While trade was definitely profitable in Coingate, the nation's lifeline of commerce was constantly under threat from the savage Maelstrom monsters directly to the south.

Government
Since its unification under Mira Selemchant it has been ruled by the Princes of Coin, which resides in Coingate. Their main duties are to maintain trade within and outside of the country, controlling nearly every aspect regarding the economy of the nation. Separate from their economic concerns, the council also coordinates the militaristic defense of the nation, a task in which each individual member has a particular role. These positions are anonymously held.

After the Sicarus, however, things changed. The number of seats on the Princes of Coin was reduced from six to five. They remain an oligarchy but abandoned all pretenses of being anything else and the positions on the Council are openly held by the rulers of five noble houses: Kreshin, von Carstien, Nashivaar, Ophal, and Selemchant.

However, despite all appearances to the contrary, many other forces continue to hold a great deal of power in the country, despite the efforts of the Princes of Coin to contain them. Directly beneath the Princes of Coin in power are the head merchant families, who often wielded considerable political power as it is from among their ranks from which new council members are elected. While families who dont have a member on the council have little direct governmental power, their influence and authority among the town or cities in which they reside is still considerable. In any given city of the country there are between ten and thirty heavily influential families, with Kreshin having forty-two families that controlled the nation's trading houses.

Society
In general, the richest inhabitants commanded the less wealthy. A recent show of wealth such as a large purchase or high bid could immediately raise a person's status, even above those who are wealthier overall. More emphasis is put on proper business conduct than racial stereotypes, so as long as a potential customer adhered to these rules, it does not matter who they are or where they are from. Even so, they are wary of potential threats to business, so the more wealthy are often accompanied by at least two guards.

Notable Locations
Capital City


 * Coingate

Cities


 * Port Vala

Towns


 * Breskl

Mines


 * Ionian Mine

Forts


 * Fort Till

Landmarks


 * Dragonback Mountains
 * Forest of the Lost
 * Scorned Valley